Books

As much reading as I do, almost all of it is non-fiction. I can devour a travel guidebook on, say, Mozambique, with as much gusto as an airline passenger on a long-haul flight might work over something from John Grisham.

If I were stranded on a desert island, I'd hope to have three books there with me:

Dark Star Safari, by Paul Theroux. Overland from Cairo to Cape Town with my favorite curmudgeon. The harrowing route is one I can't imagine trekking myself, but it makes for a fascinating read from the comfort of one's armchair.

Italian Days, by Barbara Grizutti Harrison. A gentle and sophisticated book. Possibly the travel memoir to read prior to a first (or tenth) trip to Italy.

Riding the Red Rooster, by Paul Theroux. Absorbing account of a journey through China by train. Theroux's numerous encounters with Chinese bureaucracy and his frequent attempts to ditch the guide thrust upon him make for a compelling read.

It'd be tough to leave behind a few essays by Jan Morris. The folks who publish the Travelers' Tales series of books do a fine job collecting absorbing essays on countries and cities -- I'm particularly fond of their title on India. Ooh, and I'd hope to discover a story or two by Tim Cahill stashed in my backpack.